The case of a Shropshire man who killed his elderly mother after snapping under the pressure of caring for her was “very sad and tragic”, police said today.
Edward William Purcell, 64, of Wellington, was jailed at Stafford Crown Court yesterday for two years and eight months after previously admitting the manslaughter of 85-year-old Mrs Marjorie Purcell.
The court heard he had killed his mother after months of being her sole carer under conditions which would have taxed professional social workers.
Purcell, of Tentree Croft, had put his hands round his mother’s throat to make her be quiet. The frail widow, who had been suffering increasingly from dementia, died almost instantly when the pressure on a nerve stopped her heart beating.
Purcell, who had been living with his mother at her Wrekin Housing Trust bungalow in Meadcroft, Madeley, then put the body neatly in bed. The body was found three days later by her daughter and granddaughter on July 23 last year.Judge Tonking told Purcell: “Conditions were difficult for you both emotionally and physically. Your mother guarded her independence fiercely, refusing help from social workers, wardens at the bungalows and other members of her family.
“She was confused and prone to obsessive, compulsive and inappropriate behaviour. You felt trapped in a situation in which you could see no end.”
The judge said this had taken its toll on Purcell’s mental state resulting in him cracking up and using spontaneous violence for which he was remorseful.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Morgan said: “This is a very sad and tragic case and we accept the decision by the court. We have liaised with the family of Marjorie Purcell throughout and our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.
“Due to the unique nature of this investigation, we have had to carefully consider the medical aspects of this case and we have spoken to a number of expert witnesses. We have also worked closely with other agencies on this investigation.”
A Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman said today: “On April 2, 2007, the council was contacted with concerns about Mrs Purcell.
“The next day, a social worker visited her to assess her needs and on April 4 the council offered Mrs Purcell a package of care to support her in her home and to undertake an assessment of her carer’s needs. Neither offer was taken up.”
By Lisa Rowley
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